Co worker xmas gifts ???

[kwormann]

Who has the most fabulous gift for MANY coworkers...one that would be nice but not break the bank and be fun to make


Kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[debg]

kwormann, try the vanilla extract or kahlua. Also do a search because there was a thread a couple months back on ingredients you can layer in a jar to make cookies, or hot chocolate or ???? Good luck!

[Jeanne G]

Kim,

Well, I hope your thread gets as good of replies as the one posted about what to give customers!!

I too have this challenge every year. I've done: a pointsettia(sp?) for everyone, handmade(I made them) earrings for the girls, and last year I gave a pound of (purchased)fresh basil linguini with cooking instructions, etc. to everyone(although I know some people don't appreciate what an awesome gift that is!!).

I have about 10 or so people to buy for(customer service,not customers!!) and hate to spend too much ~ I try to limit it to 5 dollars or under(especially, b/c I do other things for them throughout the yesr)! I hope I don't sound too cheap. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif This year I'm thinking of treating to a great (carry out) oriental lunch for my customer service folks. But it is so hard to figure out sometimes!!! I do HATE it that so many sweets seem to pop up at holiday season!!!! And as if it's easy w/o the temptation. And to my other work people ("above" customer service) I give my own design of ingredients inside of baskets: a bottle of wine, a pound of pasta, a candle, etc. and a container of pesto (artichoke heart or roasted red pepper, something different!!). Those go over really well.

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 11-06-2000).]

[Peggy]

Kim,

That is always one of the hardest holiday decisions to make. Over the years I have done lots of different things... Here are some of the ones I can remember. All of these were very reasonable as far as price was concerned.
- holiday coffee mugs filled with truffles
- colorful holiday socks
- christmas ornaments, bought or homemade
- pocket planners
- one year I made cute reindeer necklaces using a small wooden clothes pin for the reindeer's head. Those were a big hit!
- $5.00 gift certificates for the lobby's espresso bar. Another big hit for the caffeine addicts.
- homemade jams and jellies
- Christmas theme pin or earrings

That's all I can think of right now. Hope it helps!

Peggy

[Susann]

This year, I am going to try some of the cookie mixes in a jar ideas (several links were posted on the BB. If you go to search, you should find them). I am currently on the look out for the best deal on mason jars and I have already gotten some rattan (Is that what it is called?) and some material to decorate the tops with.

[JLS]

Originally posted by Susann:
This year, I am going to try some of the cookie mixes in a jar ideas (several links were posted on the BB. If you go to search, you should find them). I am currently on the look out for the best deal on mason jars and I have already gotten some rattan (Is that what it is called?) and some material to decorate the tops with.

Susan: I was at Target the other day and they had some Mason jars on clearance. I am not sure where you live... but I know that usually Targets mark down their merch. at all the ... at the same time.

[chefandi]

The other day I saw this really neat coffee mugs there tall and slender and I thought they were neat but I wasn't sure how to use them but then I had the idea to make Biscotti and put that inside the mug and then wrap it in a clear wrap! I thought this would be a nice gift for co-workers without putting out too much money.

[kwormann]

chefandi

what a fab idea!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif You could also fill it w/ coffee beans, if you knew they drank coffee and had a grinder!

kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[HARRYET]

how about spiced tea? I have a recipe that everyone seems to enjoy, if you want it let me know and I'll post it. Ann

[kwormann]

Harryet, Would LOVE it!!!

Kim

[HARRYET]

kim here you go~~~

spiced tea

1c instant tea (unsweetened)
2 c tang
1 1/4 teaspoon unsweetened lemonade (kool-aid)
1 1/2 c sugar
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Place 3/4 T in mug add boiling water, enjoy!!

This sounded good to me, I thought I'd have a cup, we have a bit of a chilly evening, tonight! ~~ cheers! enjoy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Ann

[This message has been edited by HARRYET (edited 11-08-2000).]

[Kristilyn1]

Don't forget coffee/cocoa spoons! Easy to make and even if people don't use them, I think they appreciate the thought. I made some last year and Michael's (the craft store) had those little fake tabletop christmas trees (the bottom is wrapped in burlap, anyone know what I'm talking about?) on sale for $2. I bought those and put the coffee spoons on them like they were ornaments and bought a star fruit and sliced it so it made a little star and put on top. I thought, worse case, people could use the little trees for decorations at their house.

[chefandi]

What are the coffee spoons exactly? I have seen spoons at coffee shops that are dipped in chocolate is this similar? Could you make these yourself by just dipping the end into melted chocolate?

[Beth]

Do you like to make candies? I think a lot of people like things like homemade English toffee, peanut or other brittles and other goodies that they are not as lilely to make as cookies (and they really are easy if you get a dry, cold day to make them). If you know their tastes, a Christmas Stollen might also be good. I have also thought about some coupons for a casserole, dinner or knock-your-socks-off dessert that you could time to get through the holidays or for later.

Also, I saw some Amaryllis at Home Depot for about $3.50. You could plant them in the pot now, let them grow, put them in a decorative basket or wrap later and they should be ready to bloom about Christmas time. You could do that with other bulbs also.

[chefandi]

What about pretzel rods dipped in chocolate with red and green sprinkles? I think these are so yummy and you could make about any kind that you wanted, such as peanut butter or white choc.?
Has anyone made these before? I would think that you would just melt the choc. and then roll in sprinkles? You think? Let me know, thanks!

[kwormann]

Thats great...Ive also seen ritz cracker/pb sandwich dipped in Cho. (YUMMY) and oreos dipped in cho (like they need any help). We should all start a business where we make these things in baskets for busy people.....

kim

[Susann]

Jls-Thanks for the info. Looks like I will be off to Target this weekend.

[patriciae]

I use the amaryllis idea often; Wal-Mart usually has them on sale after Thanksgiving. I'm not as nice as Beth; I make my friends plant them themselves...so that my non-gardening friends find out how easy they are! Advantage: no calories...for the recipients OR the (non)cook!

[Mitchdoggy]

How do you make the coffee spoons. I've seen them for about $2.50 each in several stores. For the last several years we have put the money we would normally spend on each other at the office into a sealed envelope and donate it to the salvation army. That way we save time shopping for that "special" gift and the salvation army can put the money to a better use.